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Japanese Exclusives

In Japan the Generation One toyline (figures that were released between 1985 and 1992) was split up into different sub groups and was only retroactively referred to as G1. Here I present my collection and checklist of Transformers from this time period in (roughly) chronological order.

Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (1985-1986)

16 Megatron

This is a wonderful variant that starts off the long tradition of cool Japanese exclusive Transformers. Read more about it here.

48 Astrotrain

Since most of the releases that made up the first two years of the Generation One line in Japan were virtually identical to the American releases I don't have many. One of the first variants was D-48 Astrotrain which came in this stunning white/black combo color rather than the more common purple. You can read further about my acquisition of Astrotrain here.

D-48 White Astrotrain

D-65 Blast Off

Blast off was the very first Japanese figure I ever purchased. Back in 1996 when I bought him the Japanese version was a lot easier to find than the American one and I needed a Blast Off for my Bruticus.

I obtained these two figures off eBay in 2008 before the onslaught of the knock-offs. The cassettes are some of my favorite figures. If you would like to read more about them, click here.

C-121 Gurafi and C-122 Noizu

C-123 Diaru and C-124 Zauru

These were purchased at roughly the same time as the other two Dinocassettes, you can read more about them here.

C-123 Diaru and C-124 Zauru

C-125 Shoki

C-125 Shoki

C-126 Getsuei

C-126 Getsui

C-127 Yukikaze

C-127 Yukikaze

C-128 Suiken

C-128 Suiken

C-129 Seizan

C-129 Seizan

C-130 Kaen

C-130 Kaen

The Trainbots are another favorite group of mine since I have enjoyed trains ever since I was a child. Personally I believe these figures would have done well in the United States, but apparently Hasbro did not agree. More can be read on the Trainbots here.

Raiden

Headmaster Warriors

Ever since the knock offs hit the market these guys aren't as expensive as they used to be, but they can still be hard to find. You can read more here, here and here.

Kirk, Rodney, Loafer, Lione, Trizer and Shuffler

White Headmaster Warriors (missing Loafer)

These figures can be some of the most elusive in the entire hobby. The pictures speak for themselves, but you can read more here, here, here, here and here.

I searched for these two figures for a very long time as companions to the other dinocassettes. In many ways, these were more difficult to find. You can read more here.

D-108 Slugfest and D-109 Overkill

Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (1988)

In many ways, Masterforce is probably the most alien Japanese G1 series, very few robot-only characters were involved, and this was the first series that didn't feature any American characters. However I must admit it is my favorite series story-wise of all the Japanese series due to good characterization and interesting plot lines. The same cannot be said of Headmasters or Victory.

Fortunately I purchased Overlord before he became super famous as a result of Botcon 2012. In less than two years his price more than doubled!

D-307 Overlord

D-308 Browning(Not yet obtained)

Transformers: Victory (1989)

Where Masterforce is my favorite line story wise, Victory is my favorite line toy wise. Almost the entire line is made up of completely different molds that were never available in America, many of them combiners. When I first learned of Victory in college, I was highly ecstatic.

C-316 Wingwaver, C-317 Dashtacker, C-318 Machtackle

C-323 Road Caesar

One of the more interesting combiners is Road Caesar, made up of only three members. He is a little off-kilter because two of the members make up the legs, while the remaining figure makes up everything else making him look leg-heavy. More can be read here.

C-323 Road Caesar

C-324 Star Saber

C-324 Star Saber

C-326 Galaxy Shuttle

Galaxy Shuttle was my prize purchase of Botcon 2011 in Pasadena, California. It was the one thing I knew I wanted when I walked in the dealer room and it was definitely the one thing that came home with me. You can read more here.

C-326 Galaxy Shuttle

C-327 Victory Leo

I have actually ended up purchasing this figure twice. The first one I bought in 2007 wasn't in great condition, so I traded up for another one not long after. More can be read here.

C-327 Victory Leo

D-309 Black Shadow

Black Shadow was an interesting purchase. I obtained the body, parts and paperwork from an Australian seller, while I bought the box over a year later from an American seller. He is one of my favorite Victory figures. You can read more here.

D-309 Black Shadow

D-329 Leozack

D-330 Guyhawk

D-331 Hellbat

D-332 Jallguar

D-333 Killbison

D-334 Drillhorn

Liokaiser is my all-time favorite Generation One combiner. I really like the fact that he only needs one part to combine (the head) unlike almost all the other combiners which have different feet, hands and accessories.

Liokaiser combined

D-336 Deszarus

Deszarus was my very first Japanese exclusive G1 figure and (at the time) the most I had ever spent on one figure alone. It was a turning point that would open my wallet to an onslaught without end. You can read more here.

I really love Sixtrain's packaging artwork. The box and the designs are striking. It would have been interesting to see where the designs would have gone if the line weren't cancelled. You can read more here.